Draco Malfoy. October.
Draco sat in front of the fire in the Slytherin Common Room and thought about what had just happened. Potters name was pulled from the Goblet of Fire, the pieces were moving and it was time for him to make a decision but he wasn't ready.
Elinore Collins. October.
Elle couldn't believe that Harry would put his name in the Goblet of Fire, she wouldn't believe it. She knew him and he would never do this, but she needed to ease her mind, she needed to hear it from him. She searched throughout the whole school all day and could not find him, finally she found him wandering on the fourth floor corridor, he looked stressed. Elle felt her forehead crease a little at the look on his face. She felt guilty for cornering him like this but she wanted some answers.
"Harry" she said loudly he looked up at her and smiled as she walked towards him she continued "how are you?" coming up to him she noticed dark rings under his eyes. He looked as though he hadn't been sleeping for months.
"Could be better, how are you?" he said, he looked on edge Elle didn't enjoy seeing him like that.
"I'm great. You however, I'm worried. Last night-"she got cut off.
"I don't know what happened Elle, I didn't put my name in and I didn't ask anyone to either" he seemed rather upset and Elle immediately regretted bringing up the subject.
"I see I'm sorry I just thought you'd want to talk about it" she said trying to look him in the eyes.
"I don't need to talk about it I'm fine" he snapped at her, Elle stood back he had never spoken to her like that before he walked off in a hurry and was swallowed up in a group of sixth years. They called taunts after him and started laughing
Something was wrong, he was not himself. There was something else happening, something that was making him so wound up. Elle felt uneasy and it troubled her. She could no longer see him walking away, he needed time to get over this, she thought. He would talk to her when he was ready.
Draco Malfoy. December.
The fourth and fifth year Slytherins had assembled in a room down in the dungeons. It was rather dark inside and the only source of light came from the few floating candles above the students, the room was divided into boys and girls.
Draco felt as though he was wasting his time, sitting here. He knew exactly why he was here and he would much rather be somewhere else. He searched the crowd of girl's faces and was only looking for one. Elinore's, he had only seen her briefly since they had came back and this was the first time he had gotten too see her properly. He finally saw her sitting not far from Pansy Parkinson, he gazed past her and focused on Elle. Her blue eyes were bright despite the darkness of the room and her long curly hair was as usual tied up in a loose bun, loose curls framed her face. Draco took in every detail knowing he would never get this opportunity again. She looked over at him and smiled slightly, Draco felt something inside him jolt, that was not the reaction he expected. Draco saw out of the corner of his eye Pansy waving at him, he looked back at Elle she was smiling to herself.
Professor Snape then entered the room accompanied by Madam Pince with a rather delightful look on her face.
"Quiet." Said Snape as he strode into the middle of the room he's black robes flowing out behind him, a hush spread over the room. There was a long pause.
"Some of you may know why you are here, some of you not. As you are aware the Triwizard Tournament comes with certain traditions. One being the Yule Ball. This will require you to present yourself in a manner that is respectable, you will dine and dance with your chosen partners and do so with dignity. For all those who manage to do this will receive fifty points." He paused again.
"I am here to demonstrate the dance which you will be required to do on the evening." He drew out his wand and pointed it at the record player, music started playing. Snape walked over to Madam Pince and took her hand, they began whirling around. Draco snorted to himself and most of the people around him began to laugh. As the music came to an end the room fell silent. Snape and Madam Pince pulled away from each other and Madam Pince seemed to be even more overjoyed.
"Now. It's your turn, stand up and pick a partner. Hurry up now." Said Snape, his cold voice echoed through the room. Both sides rose and Draco could only think of one person he wanted to be partnered with but instead he found himself paired with Pansy.
Draco looked over towards Elle was she was paired with Lukas Fiddler, he was a fifth year and on the Slytherin Quidditch Team, Draco had never liked him, he was a half blood and their Fathers had had a few run ins in the past. However Draco hated him now because he fancied Elle, Draco had heard him talking about her a few times and was disgusted by the foul things he had said about her. But he knew he had no chance Elle would never stoop that low. The music began to play and he watched carefully as Lukas began to swirl Elle around, she was smiling. Draco felt a sting in the pit of his stomach.
"Oh this is wonderful don't you think Draco? I can't wait until the ball. Would you like to come with me?" Draco wasn't really listening he just heard his name.
"What?" he snapped looking at her, she was relatively pretty but Draco had no interest in her at all.
"Do you want to go to the ball with me?" she said, batting her eyelids at him. He groaned inside, he hated when she did that.
"I'll think about it." he said coolly, the smile was wiped instantly from her face. They did not speak again, both sullen looks on their face. Every now and then Draco would catch a glimpse of Elle; she looked so graceful, almost beautiful. He wished he could stop thinking about her, but she was all he thought about, ever since that day in the Library last year. He kept trying to think of ways to make it up to her. To make up for his actions, but he couldn't think of anything. Perhaps the damage was already done.
The music came to a stop and Draco pulled away from Pansy instantly he looked over and saw that Lukas was bowing to Elle and kissing her on the hand, she was giggling to herself. Draco turned away and felt somewhat angry to his surprise; he sat down on the chair and was joined by Crabbe and Goyle. Lukas and his group of friends sat down not far from them. They were all laughing and Lukas seemed pretty happy with himself.
"What I tell 'ya boys. I got it in the bag, who knows after the ball I might get a little bit on the side." He said lounging back in his chair, all his friends began laughing.
"You think she'll go all the way?" said one of his friends
"For sure mate, no one can resist me. Besides she wants me." he was grinning to himself, Draco snorted to himself.
"What's so funny Malfoy?" he said turning around along with all his friends. "Bit jealous because you're not getting any?" he said all his friends laughed, Crabbe sat up in his chair a little.
"I think it's funny that someone with such a poor appearance could get anywhere with a girl. You're pathetic. Pathetic little half blood scum." He said leaning towards him, Lukas pounced on Draco and started punching him Crabbe managed to pull Lukas off him and started laying into him, a few of Lukas' friends joined the fray and Draco had managed to pull himself up. Amongst all the yelling and swearing you could hear Professor Snape yelling.
"Enough!" he was pulling Crabbe off Lukas and sat them both down, "fifty points each from Slytherin" he said loudly. "Get out of my sight, all of you" he said and the room started piling out, Pansy had run over to Draco who was still slumped on the chair.
"Are you hurt?" she said panicky, holding his face examining him, I think you should go to the hospital wing.
"Get lost" he said pushing her hands away from his face, he looked past her and saw that Elle was looking at him concern on her face. A little smile came up on his face, she smiled back. He watched as Lukas walked over to her shock on her face, Crabbe had managed to break his nose. Malfoy was happy with that. They stood there talking for a bit and then he walked away. Elle looked at Draco again and walked off. Crabbe came over to Draco and Pansy, who was not in a good mood.
"That was fun" he said laughing, he helped Draco out of his seat and walked with him to the common room, he hoped he didn't see Lukas again otherwise he would make sure to charm him with something bad. He completely hated that boy and was going to make it his personal mission to make sure Elle stay as far away from him as possible.
Elinore Collins. December.
Elle was in the library, in her usual spot reading the novel her Grandmother had given her for Christmas a year ago, she had read it about five times already and had almost finished it. She sat there for a moment and looked out the window. The Yule Ball was a week from now and she felt rather excited much to her surprise. However something else was on her mind, Elle had not spoken to Harry since October and it troubled her. She was unsure on whether or not to congratulate him for his victory in the first test of the Triwizard Tournament. A voice broke her serenity.
"Elle" it was a voice she knew all too well. Elle turned around to see Draco standing there; it was not long ago that they had been here with a slightly different mood surrounding them. He seemed stressed or nervous Elle couldn't determine which it was.
"Draco, you scared me" she said smiling at him, he seemed shocked as if he couldn't believe she was talking to him.
"Sorry" he said, looking at her still shock on his face.
"What's the matter?" she asked looking at him more seriously now.
"I err, came to ask you something?" he said not looking at her in the eye.
"Okay" she smiled
"I was wondering if you... would like to come to the ball with me?" he said, his words hit her like a tonne of bricks it was not at all what she was expecting, her face was now shocked. She paused for a moment processing this sudden declaration.
"Oh Draco, that's so sweet. But I'm already going with someone." She said quietly, she felt so guilty for some strange reason and really wanted so desperately to go with him. If only she could tell him that.
"I see." He said coldly, he paused for a moment looking slightly frustrated "You're not going with Lukas are you?" he asked, the anger rising in his voice
"What does it matter if I am?" she retorted
"He's a sleaze, haven't you heard the things he's been saying about you? What he's planning on doing to you?" he said, Elle felt taken aback. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, was he just saying these things because he was jealous or was it true?
"What?" she replied looking up at him, trying to see the truth in his eyes?
"Forget about it" he turned and walked away, Elle watched him in shock as he walked away from her, hoping he would look back. He didn't. What's going on? She thought to herself. One thing was for sure, she could see him changing and perhaps the feelings she had for him wouldn't be wasted after all. She smiled to herself quietly and continued reading her book.
Draco Malfoy. December.
It was the night of the Yule Ball, Draco had reluctantly accepted Pansy request and was taking her to the ball as a last resort. He walked down the stairs to find Pansy waiting for him in a pink frilly dress. He shuddered slightly, she smiled widely at him.
"You look great" she said to him, he just took her arm and walked out of the common room.
When they made it into the Great Hall it was decorated magnificently, Draco was slightly impressed but nothing was going to lighten his mood this evening. He walked with Pansy on his arm right to the back of the Hall; he was not intending to dance at all tonight. Music began to play and the Triwizard Champions began their dance. Draco watched as others joined in. As the music finished another started and more people joined in dancing.
Draco went and sat down at the table with Crabbe and Goyle, who had failed to bring anyone to the Ball. He looked over the people dancing and in the clearing he saw Elle, she was dancing with Lukas. Her hair was pinned on the sides and her long curls flowed down her back. Her dress was black and blue and Draco couldn't keep his eyes off her. She looked radiant although she was not smiling, she seemed distracted as if looking for someone and suddenly she locked eyes with Draco. He felt the jolt in his stomach as he always had when she looked at him. She continued to look at him as she twirled and danced with Lukas.
She had done this all night and finally when Lukas decided he didn't want to dance anymore she sat on a table not far from Draco's. Lukas seemed to be boring her and every time they locked eyes she would smile kindly at him as if not at all interested.
"Are we going to dance or what?" Pansy hadn't stopped winging all night.
"No. I don't want to dance with you, at all" he said, he was too busy watching, waiting for his opportunity. Lukas got up from the table and walked over to talk to some of his friends. Draco got up and walked over to Elle. She looked up at him her bright blue eyes framed by her dark eye lashes.
"Would you like to dance?" he said offering his hand to her.
"Of course." She smiled, she took his hand. They were warm and her skin was soft, they walked over to the dance floor and Draco placed his hand on her hip. She was even more stunning up close, Draco could feel that jolt in his stomach and it wouldn't go away. She smiled at him as they started dancing together.
"have you been enjoying yourself?" she asked
"Not particularly" he said glumly.
"I see you haven't danced much" she said
"No" he replied shortly.
"Whys that?" she said trying to make conversation with him, he could tell he was being a prat.
"Would you like to dance with Pansy Parkinson?" he said smiling.
"No. I'd rather remove my arm." She said giggling to herself
"Exactly" he said smiling even wider, he saw Elle glance over his shoulder.
"Your friends don't seem very impressed that you're dancing with me" she said looking serious.
"I don't care" he shrugged
"Really?" she asked looking at him in the eyes.
"What should it matter what they think?" he said
"It doesn't" she said smiling at him, his mood lightened again.
"I'm not like them Elle, you know that don't you?" he said feeling serious again.
"I know you're not, you just haven't proven it yet." She was very serious as well; Draco knew this was something that she needed to see from him
"I've tried so many times. It's just hard. I know I can change." He said his grip tightening around her waist.
"Then why don't you" they had stopped dancing now, everyone else continued to swirl around them. He was silent, deep and thought.
"What are you afraid of Draco? That they aren't going to like you anymore? That your father's going to be disappointed in you? Who cares what they think Draco and who cares what they want. What do you want? You're a good person Draco, its time you realised that" she broke away from his hold and he stood there looking at her in the eyes. She had seen a side to him that no one else was allowed to see. She knew him better than he knew himself. He let go of her and she walked away, disappointment on her face. He looked over his shoulder and watched as she walked out of the Hall.
Draco returned to his table, everyone was silent he sat there for at least ten minutes and could no longer bear it he need to get out of there. Elle was right but of course id never admit it. He walked the corridors of Hogwarts; couples were hidden in dark shadows groping each other by all angles. As he got closer to the Slytherin common room Draco could hear one couple enjoying themselves quiet loudly. Disgusting, he thought to himself as he walked past them, their faces hidden by the shadows. Then suddenly a voice called out to him that was all too familiar.
"DRACO!" it was Elle.
"SHUT UP YOU STUPID BITCH!" Lukas' voice fought back louder and fiercer than hers Draco heard him slap her across the face, she screamed.
"DRACO, HELP ME!" She called out to him
"I SAID SHUT UP, CRUCIO!"He saw the red flash cover her body and make her fall to the ground, she was screaming in pain. Draco pointed his wand at Lukas.
"Petrificus Totalus" he yelled, Lukas' body binded and he fell to floor. Draco ran over and began punching him violently, making sure he re-broke his nose. Elle's voice broke him away from his rage.
"Draco.... Draco... I'm..." her voice was weak; Lukas had managed to curse her pretty well. Draco kneeled beside her body.
"Lumos" he lit up his wand and placed it over her face, she had a cut lip and her face was red from where Lukas had slapped her. Draco felt like doing more damage to Lukas' face but then he felt Elle's soft hand touch his.
"Thank you" she whispered to him, he placed his arm under her head and around her shoulders and lifted her up. It was not far from the common room so he carried her down the passage, leaving Lukas stunned on the floor with his bludgeoned face.
They walked through the portrait and sat down in a dark corner. Draco could see her dress was stained with blood. Draco healed her cut lip and looked for anymore things to he could do to make her feel better. She placed her hand on his lap; he felt the jolt in his stomach again. He carefully placed his hand on top of hers.
"Thank you" she said again her voice a little stronger than before, she was looking into his eyes. He felt uneasy almost nervous.
"Are you okay?" he asked he was still concerned.
"Yes" she whispered but her voice was shaking she had lowered her face; Draco placed his finger under her chin and made her look at him. Tears were rolling down her face and Draco felt his whole body start to ache, he had never seen her cry before and it was something he wished he never had to do again.
"Why, why did he do this?" she said whimpering, her face fell into her hands. Draco placed his hand on her shoulder and she moved into his body. Leaning herself against her, wanting to be comforted. But could he do that? Could he provide her with what she wanted? He was unsure of what he was capable of. He was still a boy.
"Because he's a dick." He said smiling to himself, he heard her laugh a little through her tears.
Right now Draco didn't care whether or not he was able to give her what she wanted, or if that was what he wanted. All he cared about was that she was in his life in some way or another. He needed her, because he needed to believe he was a good person.
Elinore Collins. June.
School was almost over for another year and Elle had found that her friendship with Draco had grown and the one she had with Harry had diminished. Although she was glad to finally have this friendship with Draco she was saddened to have lost Harry. They were so similar and he was her friend when no one else would be, she realised that she was partly to blame for this.
As she was walking the corridors of Hogwarts she saw Harry walking along with his friends Ron and Hermione, she was unsure if they were aware of their somewhat friendship. She walked towards them Harry saw her first and smiled slightly; she returned his smile and continued to walk past them. She called out behind him.
"Harry!" he turned around slowly as did his friends "good luck tonight, I hope you win" she smiled at him; he just nodded at her and smiled back. He turned around and walked off into the distance, she cared for him deeply but he was going in a different direction to what she was although it hurt her deeply she needed to let him go.
Later on that night.
All the champions had entered the maze and the rest of the students had sat there for at least an hour talking quietly to each other waiting for the winner to return. There was a hush that had covered the whole grounds; something about the maze was somewhat dark and terrible.
Suddenly the silence was broken, Harry had returned with the Cup and Elle could see Cedric Diggory lying motionless on the ground he looked to her as tho he was dead! Harry's screams had flooded the silence.
"HES BACK, VOLDEMORT IS BACK! HE KILLED HIM I COULDNT...... IT WAS A PORTKEY!" people started screaming and gasping, Elle stood up she felt as something had stabbed her hard, she gasped for air. Cedric's father had run over to his son corpse and was consumed by grief and Harry was rushed off and Elle could no longer see him.
The teachers began to move the students off to their houses immediately. Elle stood there motionless for a moment not able to fully grasp what she had just witnessed. All of it Harry's name in the Goblet, it was all planned to lead to this moment. Why had no one prevented it? What was going to happen now? Then suddenly one thing popped into her mind Draco. She looked over to where he should've been sitting he had already moved off with half of the other students.
"Miss Collins, move on please." said Professor Flitwick, she looked down at him and quickly moved on.
She walked as fast as she could she needed to get to Draco, she didn't know what she would say but she knew she needed answers. She walked towards her common room her insides churning she didn't know what to feel. She saw him standing with Crabbe and Goyle they all looked very serious, walking up to them she suddenly felt frightened.
"Draco" she paused they all looked up at her, shocked. "Can I speak to you please?" she asked he could tell that what she had to say was important; as it always was so he walked away from them. They found somewhere quiet and stood there for a moment before Draco spoke.
"Elle are you okay?" He asked, looking at her "you look like you're going to faint" he stroked her face with the back of his hand; she looked deeply into his eyes.
"Is it true Draco? Is he really back?" she said her voice hoarse and barely audible.
"I'm... I'm not sure." He said looking down at his feet, he looked ashamed. "I knew something was going to happen I just wasn't sure on the details. But when Potter's name was called from the Goblet I thought that it might have been part of the plan. I just. I didn't want to believe it." He looked up at her, despair in his eyes. Elle knew that he was afraid of what was to come and so was she. She stood there looking into his grey eyes, she had seen so much emotion in them lately it was frightening.
"You know everything's going to change now Draco." she began.
"I know and I've made my choice" he said looking at her in the eyes deeply, grabbing her wrist.
"Draco you don't get a choice, they will kill you if you don't do as your told." she paused "you understand that I can't go down that path with you Draco." she looked up at him her eyes full of sadness. "I don't want to be parted with you but I have no choice. I'm not strong enough to see you turn into one of them. I'm not strong enough to watch die." Tears started to well up and she could feel all emotions hitting her at once. She cared for him more than he could ever imagine.
"What are you saying? You're giving up on me?" he said quietly his eyes widening she could feel herself become more and more upset.
"I'm not, I'm just... I'm just-"she muttered to herself trying to conceal her tears.
"You are. After all of this after everything I've done, after how hard I've tried, you're just going to quit just like that? I've changed so much for you and this is how you repay me?" she couldn't bare to look at him.
"Well thank you, for wasting my time" he became angry his eyes hard and piercing his voice sharp, tears rolled down her face and he turned away from her.
"Draco" he had rejoined Crabbe and Goyle and they both looked at her with taunting eyes.
Elle wiped away her tears and walked past them not looking at any of them she was back to where she started this time she could feel a gaping hole forming in her chest. It was painful. She ran through the portrait and into her dormitory, she threw herself on to her bed and was consumed by her emotions.
She had lost him to the very thing she was trying so hard to protect him from. She had failed him and in the process hurt everyone she cared for including herself. She had nothing left. It was over.
